Category: Secret Location

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The VR Job Hub: After E3 Special

We’ve said farewell to the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), although likely not Los Angeles for another year and the team is presently winging their way home to the UK. It was certainly a busy couple of weeks, including the run up to E3 itself.

However it’s highly likely if you’re interested in virtual reality (VR) in any way you will have seen the titles revealed at this year’s expo and seen something that caught your fancy. And if you haven’t then you should probably check out our Best Games of E3 2017 feature for further insight! But if you liked what you saw you might be interested in working for the developers in question. So we’ve a selection of roles listed down for the developers  and, while they aren’t looking for anyone specifically at the moment there’s also contact emails for Polyarc (Moss) and The Secret Location.

Location Company Role Link
McKinney, Texas, US Playful Corp Sr Designer Click Here to apply
McKinney, Texas, US Playful Corp Contract Social Media Specialist Click Here to apply
McKinney, Texas, US Playful Corp Senior Producer Click Here to apply
McKinney, Texas, US Playful Corp Technical Designer Click Here to apply
Farnborough, UK nDreams Chief Operating Officer (COO) Click Here to apply
Farnborough, UK nDreams Animator (Contractor) Click Here to apply
Irvine, California, US Ready At Dawn  Lead Level Designer Click Here to apply
Irvine, California, US Ready At Dawn  Lead Character Artist Click Here to apply
Irvine, California, US Ready At Dawn Character Blendshape Artist Click Here to apply
Irvine, California, US Ready At Dawn Gameplay Programmer Click Here to apply
Irvine, California, US Ready At Dawn Scripter Click Here to apply
Irvine, California, US Ready At Dawn Focus Tester Click Here to apply
Seattle, US Polyarc General Application jobs@polyarcgames.com
Toronto, Canada / Los Angeles, US The Secret Location General Application

jobs@thesecretlocation.com

 

As always you can look at last week’s offerings for some more job selections and for more news on the VR industry and career opportunities, stay on VRFocus.

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Secret Locations’ Blasters of the Universe Seeing Full Release this Summer

For the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2016, indie developer Secret Location showcased virtual reality (VR) shooter Blasters of the Universe for the first time. The title then launched on Steam a month later and for E3 2017, the studio has confirmed a full release will happen this summer.

Rather than just simply sending out a press release Secret Location has gone that little bit further. “Our team has been working hard to prepare for the Summer 2017 launch of our studio’s first-ever original VR game, Blasters of the Universe,” says Josh Manricks, Technical Director & Product Lead at Secret Location. “Grand Master Alwyn’s true form was revealed when his consciousness was uploaded into virtual reality, and now the master of all VR space has hacked the @BlastersVR Twitter account.”

Blasters of the Universe artwork

“We encourage all Blasters to tweet to Grand Master Alwyn @BlastersVR during E3,” continued Manricks. “Together we can take back VR (and Twitter) from this self-proclaimed Virtual Space Lord!”

Blasters of the Universe allows players to use hundreds of weapon combinations in this wave-based bullet hell videogame. Shooting and dodging through unrelenting waves of enemies in a virtual world inspired by ’90s VHS cover art, Secret Location has recently updated the title with a whole new level (Facility), a new boss battle, and an Endless Mode.

The title is currently available on Steam Early Access for $14.99 USD, compatible with HTC Vive or Oculus Rift headsets.

VRFocus is at E3 2017 all week, so keep checking back for the latest news updates.

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Create & Publish Your Own VR Content with VUSR

Secret Location has revealed VUSR, a content management platform that enables creators to easily publish, distribute and monetise content for virtual reality (VR) platforms. VUSR’s first application is the result of a collaboration with Mach1 and The New York Times to update the NYT VR app for Google Daydream, which is available to download now.

Secret Location's VUSR

In development for two years, Secret Location’s VUSR allows creators to publish and distribute premium VR experiences. In a marketplace that is fragmented due to the absence of universal standards, VUSR aims to attract developers through monetisation opportunities. With VUSR, publishers can update their VR apps to disseminate content for new and existing VR hardware.

“We’re here to accelerate the storytelling experience, supporting publishers to create unparalleled virtual reality experiences,” said Secret Location Executive Producer and Founder James Milward. “Secret Location’s VUSR enables creators to distribute videos ready for release to end user apps across all relevant platforms. With VUSR content creators can efficiently embrace new VR formats, such as Daydream, distributing content across innovative technology platforms that aim to service the evolving entertainment landscape.”

While the technology has up until recently been largely applied to gaming, VR offers vast content opportunities from entertainment and travel to addressing social issues and more.

Secret Location's VUSR

“Virtual reality creators will no longer be plagued by the fragmentation issue,” said Secret Location Technical Director and Founder Ryan Andal. “VUSR is the first platform of its kind to solve the problems caused by the issue of creating content tailored for so many types of VR headsets competing in today’s marketplace. It also boasts innovative creative-publisher tools such as directional tracking through heat maps and support for full-sphere surround sound.”

Acquired by Entertainment One (eOne) earlier this year, Secret Location combines cutting-edge technology with traditional storytelling to create digitally accelerated experiences for the web, mobile, tablet, and new platforms like VR and augmented reality (AR). The reveal of VUSR suggest immediate support for Google Cardboard, Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, Google Daydream, PlayStation VR and Samsung Gear VR. VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest details on the VUSR marketplace.

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NYT VR Comes to Google Daydream

The New York Times’ popular NYT VR application has received an update for Google Daydream compatibility. Available now, the Google Daydream version of NYT VR launches with two new virtual reality (VR) experiences.

NYT VR header

The new version of the app is compatible with the Daydream View head-mounted display (HMD) and Daydream-ready smartphones. The New York Times updated the NYT VR app in collaboration with Secret Location, a virtual reality and technology studio for emerging platforms VR sound partner Mach1 and MPC.

Films available in the Daydream version of the NYT VR app include:

The Creators: Rob Pruitt – T Magazine’s debut VR film by Luca Guadagnino, director of I Am Love and A Bigger Splash, focuses on the contemporary artist Rob Pruitt. It follows Pruitt on a day in his life — from a meditation at his Chinatown apartment to a visit to IKEA in Brooklyn, where he purchases 27 plush pandas (a signature in his artwork) and then back to paint in his Gowanus studio.

How I Became A Laughter Yoga Photographer – As part of The New York Times Magazine’s Voyages issue, follow fine art photographer Alec Soth on his voyage to Bangalore, India to make a portrait of laughter and happiness.

The NYT VR app has had more than 1 million downloads and is free to download in the Google Play and iOS App Stores. VRFocus will keep you updated with all the latest additions to the Google Daydream software library.